Candidate for accreditation is a pre-accreditation status recognizing that the program
is making progress toward accreditation. It is not an accreditation status and does
not assure that the program will be accredited by CAPTE.

However, Philip Palmer, PT, PhD, professor and chair of the physical therapy program, stated he is confident the
program will move toward compliance and eventual accreditation with the continued
support of PCOM.

“This decision was based on the program's demonstration of satisfactory progress,
to date, toward achieving compliance with accreditation standards, and allows the
program to move forward with matriculation of the inaugural class as scheduled,” explained
Dr. Palmer.

The inaugural cohort, consisting of 40 students, will begin classes on June 4, 2018.
Orientation for the new students will take place May 30 through June 1.

“After two years of planning and preparing, we can finally do what we, the faculty,
love most—teaching,” said Dr. Palmer “All of the current faculty members are seasoned
educators and look forward to the daily interactions with students.”

Community members are invited to a ribbon-cutting and open house which will take place
on Wednesday, May 23 at 10:30 a.m.